Awaken I am: Beauty In Tragedy

                          

    This is a hard one for me to write because I have gotten to know these guys in Pittsburgh Pa while covering their show and my heart breaks for them and what they are going through. Awaken I am is a post hardcore band from Australia and is signed with Victory records. This band is so good and toured the US a few of times and is hitting the US for a 3rd time. When their tour came to an end Spring of 2018 they lost their brother, bandmate, friend & family Connor Verner-Oakley. He was killed do to a selfish driver that was trying to end her life but instead took the life of Connor. 

     Now that you have the back story this is how "The Beauty In Tragedy" came to life. This is the bands way of coping with the tremendous impact that losing Connor had on their lives.     Luckily Connor did get the chance to leave his mark on this EP when they recorded and made the video for the single "Dissolution" and his talent and passion for the guitar shines in the song and his presence is definitely shining in the video.

   Jimmy(vocals), Ned(guitar), Ryan(bass), Luke(drums) have taken their grief and all of their emotions and let it out on their new EP and let's face it anyone that has lost someone close to them knows those stages of grief. They released a badass EP and oh wow did they let out all of their emotions and I honestly am very proud of them for letting their emotions out and sharing it with us (even though it couldn't have been easy for them) instead of holding it in.

  I  admire their courage and strength also I respect them for keeping Connor's memory Alive. He will always be apart of them even though he is not here on earth, he will always be in the hearts of everyone who knows him or has seen him perform with this awesome band and I know that these guys will continue to keep Connor smiling down on them and making him proud. 

  If you have not already done so please head  over to whatever music streaming service you have and listen to this very personal EP that the guys of Awaken I Am have poured their hearts and souls into.  On the "The Beauty In Tragedy" EP you will find the tracks "Kin, Indifference, By Your Side, Stages Of Grief and of course Dissolution which is the last song that Connor got the chance to grace his presence on. R.I.P Connor, to his bandmates, family, friends & fans keep your head up and continue to honor Connor and keep making him proud.

                            ♡Debbie♡